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![[Identifying Distributions]](_images/icon-distribution.svg "Identifying Distributions")
Identifying Distributions
This web page gives you practice in identifying distributions and their parameters. It is extremely important for you to be able to do this. It shows an understanding of the distributions covered in the course.
Purpose
Welcome to the page that helps you identify distributions and parameters. Below, you will find a graphic of a distribution. Your job is to determine the following about that distribution:
- the type of distribution (discrete or continuous)
- the name of the distribution
- the number of parameters it has
- the name of those parameters
- the values of those parameters
Distribution Graphic
Answers
Hover over the grey boxes to see the correct answer.
| Distribution Type | Continuous | |
| Distribution Name | Exponential | |
| Number of Parameters | 1 | |
| Parameter Name(s) | λ (rate) | |
| Parameter Value(s) | λ (rate) = 0.5 |
Explanation
The sample space an interval. That means this is a continuous distribution. The sample space is bounded on only the lower side. That means this is an Exponential distribution. The other two continuous distributions are either bounded on both sides (Uniform) or not bounded at all (Normal).
The Exponential distribution has just one parameter: λ (rate). If the vertical axis is provided, λ is where the pdf curve hits the y-axis. Otherwise, you will need to estimate λ from the mean. Recall that the expected value is 1/λ for the Exponential. Here, the mean looks to be approximately 2. Thus, λ ≈ 0.5.
Another Example
Let’s try another example. Click “Refresh” in your browser to get another graphic.